Summary
Advocate Health, one of the largest US hospital chains, claims to combat medical debt by canceling 11,500 liens on patients’ homes and expanding charity care.
However, patients recount years of aggressive debt collection tactics, lawsuits, and financial ruin, with many forced to sell homes or delay medical care.
Critics argue the nonprofit’s measures fall short, especially as past practices devastated low- and middle-income families.
Despite recent reforms, the chain faces scrutiny for high prices, predatory collections, and insufficient accountability for its impact on patients.
“Sure, we put the lien on your property in the first place with our shitty practices, but look, we are finally starting to undo a small amount of the damage, aren’t we just so benevolent???”
